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Friday, March 29, 2013

I had a voicemail from the Dr's office when I came home Wednesday night so I called them after I got to work Thursday morning. Insurance actually approved the PA! I was shocked that they did this and didn't require any further proof (i.e. the esophageal pH test) that I have GERD to continue covering Dexilant.

I'm hoping to eventually not need medicine on a daily basis. Everyone says losing weight helps, 25+ lbs. I lost 20 lbs last year and it obviously didn't do anything for my GERD symptoms. Hopefully the weight I lose on Weight Watchers will do the trick. I'm also going to look into taking aloe and/or papaya juice and digestive enzymes.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

I have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). After trying different meds over the years I finally found one that worked for me in the fall of 2011 - Dexilant. I had been taking this everyday since.

Well, I got a letter from insurance that said they're no longer covering Dexilant because of the cost factor, effective 2/1. It gave alternatives, all of which I've tried and don't work for me. The doctor prescribed 30 mg of Prevacid (10mg more than what you can get OTC). The burning in my mouth and chest continue daily as if I wasn't taking anything. Normally, there are only certain foods that trigger the reflux. Since starting the Prevacid no matter what I eat or drink the burning flares up (even water!). I can't find any relief!

The doctor's office has contacted insurance to see if they'll do a prior authorization so I can start taking Dexilant again. They said it takes 5-7 business days for this to be reviewed but I'm doubtful they'll do the PA where they'll cover it. The doctor has the proof where I've tried all these different medicines but they never did a pH probe study to measure the pH or acid levels between my esophagus and stomach.

In anticipation of insurance's denial for PA I'm looking for home or natural remedies to quench the flames. Please let me know what's worked for you. I'm willing to try just about anything!

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